Article of Footwear

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The sole structure includes a plate having a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface. The plate includes a recess formed into the second surface, which is defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall. The plate includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel each extending from and in fluid communication with the recess. The first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel cooperate with the recess to form a substantially H-shaped structure in the second surface. The article of footwear also includes a cable lock disposed within the recess. The cable lock includes a housing disposed in the recess and a plurality of cable elements received within the channels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/090,969, filed on Oct. 13, 2020. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Articles of footwear conventionally include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may be formed from any suitable material(s) to receive, secure and support a foot on the sole structure. A bottom portion of the upper, proximate to a bottom surface of the foot, attaches to the sole structure. Sole structures generally include a layered arrangement extending between an outsole providing abrasion-resistance and traction with a ground surface and a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper for providing cushioning for the foot.

The upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. For instance, laces may be tightened to close the upper around the foot and tied once a desired fit of the upper around the foot is attained. Care is required to ensure that the upper is not too loose or too tight around the foot each time the laces are tied. Moreover, the laces may loosen or become untied during wear of the footwear. While fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners are easier and quicker to operate than traditional laces, these fasteners have a propensity to wear out over time and require more attention to attain a desired tension when securing the upper to the foot.

Known automated tightening systems typically include a tightening mechanism, such as a rotatable knob, that can be manipulated to apply tension to one or more cables that interact with the upper for closing the upper around a foot. While these automated tightening systems can incrementally increase the magnitude of tension of the one or more cables to achieve a desired fit of the upper around a foot, they require a time-consuming task of manipulating the tightening mechanism to properly tension the cables for securing the upper around the foot. Further, when it is desired to remove the footwear from the foot, the wearer is required to simultaneously depress a release mechanism and pull the upper away from the foot to release the tension of the cables. Additionally, conventional automated tightening systems provide a constant tensioning along the lengths of the one or more cables, whereby rotation of the rotatable knob causes the entire cable to be tightened uniformly. In instances where it may be desirable to tighten a first region of the upper more than a second region of the upper, additional cables and tightening mechanisms must be incorporated and controlled separately.

Thus, known automated tightening systems lack suitable provisions for both quickly and variably adjusting the tension of cables to close an upper around a foot and do not allow a wearer to quickly release the tension applied to the cables so that the upper can be quickly loosened for removing the footwear from the foot. Moreover, the tightening mechanism employed by these known automated tightening systems is required to be incorporated onto an exterior of the upper so that the tightening mechanism is accessible to the wearer for adjusting the fit of the upper around the foot, thereby detracting from the general appearance and aesthetics of the footwear.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a lateral side, exploded elevation view of an article of footwear in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a medial side elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a medial side elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, where a shroud of the article of footwear is removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a sole structure of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 8, taken along Line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 8, taken along Line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 8, taken along Line 11-11 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 8, taken along Line 12-12 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 8, taken along Line 13-13 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a lateral side, exploded elevation view of an article of footwear in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a medial side elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20, where a shroud of the article of footwear is removed for clarity;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a rear elevation view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example of a tensioning device according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the tensioning device of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the tensioning device of FIG. 24, showing a housing having a lid removed to expose a locking member slidably disposed within the housing when the locking member is in a locked position;

FIG. 27 is a top view of the locking device of FIG. 24, showing a housing having a lid removed to expose a locking member slidably disposed within the housing when the locking member is in an unlocked position;

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of a tensioning device in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the tensioning device of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a top view of the tensioning device of FIG. 28, where internal components of the tensioning device are hidden to show a construction of a housing of the tensioning device;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tensioning device of FIG. 28, showing the tensioning device in a locked position; and

FIG. 32 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tensioning device of FIG. 28, showing the tensioning device in an unlocked position.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, an example of an article of footwear 10 including a system providing for variable tension is disclosed. In some implementations, the article of footwear 10 includes a sole structure 100 and an upper 200 attached to the sole structure 100. The article of footwear 10 further includes a tensioning system 300 and a tensioning device 400 each integrated into at least one of the sole structure 100 and the upper 200. The tensioning system 300 includes a cable 302 routed along the upper 200 and configured to manage the tension of the upper 200. The upper 200, the tensioning system 300, and the tensioning device 400 cooperate to move the article of footwear 10 between a relaxed state and a tightened state. Particularly, the cable 302 is movable in a tightening direction D_(T) to move the article of footwear 10 into the tightened state, and in a loosening direction D_(L) to move the article of footwear 10 into the loosened state. In some implementations, the sole structure 100 and the upper 200 cooperate to provide passages and guides for routing portions of the cable 302 through the tensioning device 400. The tensioning device 400 is configured to selectively move and secure the cable 302 in the tightened state.

The article of footwear 10, and components thereof, may be described as including an anterior end 12 associated with a forward-most point of the footwear 10, and a posterior end 14 corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear 10. As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 7, a longitudinal axis A₁₀ of the footwear 10 extends along a length of the footwear 10 from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14, and generally divides the footwear 10 into a lateral side 16 and a medial side 18. Accordingly, the lateral side 16 and the medial side 18 respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear 10 and extend from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14.

The article of footwear 10 may be divided into one or more regions along the longitudinal axis A₁₀. The regions may include a forefoot region 20, a mid-foot region 22, and a heel region 24. The forefoot region 20 may correspond with toes and joints connecting metatarsal bones with phalanx bones of a foot. The mid-foot region 22 may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region 24 may correspond with rear regions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.

The article of footwear 10, and more particularly, the sole structure 100, may be further described as including a peripheral region 26 and an interior region 28, as indicated in FIG. 8. The peripheral region 26 is generally described as being a region between the interior region 28 and an outer perimeter of the sole structure 100. Particularly, the peripheral region 26 extends from the forefoot region 20 to the heel region 24 along each of the lateral side 16 and the medial side 18, and wraps around each of the forefoot region 20 and the heel region 24. The interior region 28 is circumscribed by the peripheral region 26, and extends from the forefoot region 20 to the heel region 24 along a central portion of the sole structure 100. Accordingly, each of the forefoot region 20, the mid-foot region 22, and the heel region 24 may be described as including the peripheral region 26 and the interior region 28.

The sole structure 100 of the present disclosure includes an outsole 102 and a heel counter 104. The outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may be formed as separate components and joined together using a fastening means, such as an adhesive or welding process. Accordingly, the outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may include different materials. For example, the outsole 102 may include a material having a different hardness and/or stiffness than the heel counter 104. In one example, the outsole 102 includes a rigid material having a greater hardness than the heel counter 104. Alternatively, the outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may be integrally formed of a continuous and unitary (i.e., seamless) piece of material. Optionally, the sole structure 100 may also include a plurality of traction elements 106 a-106 c extending from the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the traction elements 106 a-106 c are integrally formed with the outsole 102. Particularly, the traction elements 106 a-106 c are formed of the same material as the outsole 102 using a molding process.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8-13, the outsole 102 of the sole structure 100 extends from a first end 110 at the anterior end 12 of the footwear 10 to a second end 112 at the posterior end 14 of the footwear 10. The outsole 102 further includes an inner surface 114, an outer surface 116 formed on an opposite side of the outsole 102 from the inner surface 114, and a peripheral edge 118 connecting the inner surface 114 and the outer surface 116. The inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 is configured to face the upper 200 when the footwear 10 is assembled, such that the inner surface 114 supports the plantar surface of the foot. Conversely, the outer surface 116 faces away from the upper 200 and defines a ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear 10. A distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom surface 116 defines a thickness T102 of the outsole 102.

The outsole 102 includes a support bed 120 formed in the interior region 28 and a peripheral lip 122 extending around the support bed 120 in the peripheral region 26. The support bed 120 provides vertical (e.g., normal to the ground surface) support along the plantar surface of the foot while the peripheral lip 122 provides lateral support along an outer periphery of the foot. Accordingly, the support bed 120 is a substantially straight portion of the outsole 102 and the peripheral lip 122 curves upwardly around the outer periphery of the support bed 120.

Referring to FIG. 13, the support bed 120 and the peripheral lip 122 cooperate to provide the inner surface 114 with a concave profile along a lateral direction (i.e., from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18) and along a longitudinal direction (i.e., from the first end 110 to the second end 112). However, the curvature of the inner surface 114 may be variable, wherein the portion of the inner surface 114 defining the support bed 120 has a radius R1 that is greater than a radius R2 of the portion of the inner surface 114 defining the peripheral lip 122. Thus, the portion of the inner surface 114 extending along the support bed 120 may be flat or slightly concave, while the portion of the inner surface 114 forming the peripheral lip 122 is more concave.

On the opposite side of the outsole 102, the outer surface 116 has a generally convex profile along the lateral direction. Like the inner surface 114, the portion of the outer surface 116 defining the support bed 120 has a radius R3 that is greater than radius R4 of the portion of the outer surface 116 forming the peripheral lip 122. Accordingly, the outer surface 116 is flatter across the interior region 28 and curves upwardly in the peripheral region 26.

As discussed previously, the thickness T102 of the outsole 102 is defined by the distance from the inner surface 114 to the outer surface 116. In some portions of the outsole 102, the thickness T102 may be variable across a width of the outsole 102. For example, the thickness T1o2 may be greater in the interior region 28 than in the peripheral region 26. As shown in FIG. 13, the radius R3 of the outer surface 116 may be less than the radius R1 of the inner surface 114 such that the outer surface 116 converges with the inner surface 114 in a direction towards the peripheral region 26.

Referring to FIGS. 8-13, the support bed 120 of the outsole 102 includes a recess 124 formed in the inner surface 114, which is configured to receive the tensioning device 400. In the illustrated example, the recess 124 is disposed in the mid-foot region 22 and is configured to receive a rectangular housing 402 of a tensioning device 400. In other examples, at least a portion of the recess 124 may be disposed in other regions 20, 24 of the outsole 102 and/or the shape of the recess 124 may be modified to accommodate a tensioning device 400 having a housing 402 with a different geometry.

As shown, the recess 124 is defined, in part, by an opposing (i.e., facing) pair of parallel sidewalls 126 a, 126 b extending along the longitudinal direction and an opposing pair of parallel end walls 128 a, 128 b extending between the sidewalls 126 a, 126 b. Each of the sidewalls 126 a, 126 b and the end walls 128 a, 128 b is substantially planar, whereby the sidewalls 126 a, 126 b are diametrically opposed (i.e., completely and directly facing) to each other and the end walls 128 a, 128 b are diametrically opposed to each other. The sidewalls 126 a, 126 b and the end walls 128 a, 128 b extend from the inner surface 114 to a bottom wall 130, which defines a bottom surface of the recess 124. In other words, a distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom wall 130 defines a depth D124 of the recess 124. In the illustrated example, the depth D124 of the recess 124 is configured such that the tensioning device 400 is flush with the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 when the tensioning device 400 is received against the bottom wall 130 within the recess 124.

The outsole 102 further includes a plurality of cable channels 132 a-132 d each extending from and in fluid communication with the recess 124. The channels 132 a-132 d are configured to receive respective portions of the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 for routing the cable 302 between the tensioning device 400 and the upper 200. The cable channels 132 a-132 d may be described as including a pair of tensioning element channels 132 a, 132 b extending from an anterior portion of the recess 124, and a pair of control element channels 132 c, 132 d extending from a posterior portion of the recess 124. The tensioning element channels 132 a, 132 b include a lateral tensioning element channel 132 a extending from the lateral sidewall 126 a of the recess 124, and a medial tensioning element channel 132 b extending from the medial sidewall 126 b of the recess 124. Similarly, the control element channels 132 c, 132 d include a lateral control element channel 132 c extending from the lateral sidewall 126 a of the recess 124, and a medial control element channel 132 d extending from the medial sidewall 126 b of the recess 124.

A length of each of the channels 132 a-132 d extends from the recess 124 towards the peripheral edge 118. Particularly, each of the channels 132 a-132 d extends from a first end 134 a-134 d at one of the sidewalls 126 a, 126 b of the recess 124 towards one of the lateral side 16 or the medial side 18, and terminates at a distal end 136 a-136 d within the support bed 120 and adjacent to the peripheral lip 122. As best shown in FIG. 8, each channel 132 a-132 d extends at an oblique angle relative to a length of the recess 124 (i.e., the direction from the anterior end wall 128 a to the posterior end wall 128 b). Specifically, each channel 132 a-132 d is angled towards the posterior end 14 along a direction from the recess 124 to the peripheral lip 122. Accordingly, the channels 132 a, 132 c extending from the lateral sidewall 126 a of the recess 124 are transverse to the channels 132 b, 132 d extending from the medial sidewall 126 b of the recess 124.

In the illustrated example, each of the channels 132 a-132 d has a substantially rectangular cross-section defined by an anterior sidewall 138 a-138 d, a posterior sidewall 140 a-140 d opposing (i.e., facing) the anterior sidewall 138 a-138 d, and a bottom wall 142 a-142 d extending between the respective sidewalls 138 a-138 d, 140 a-140 d. Depths of the channels 132 a-132 d are defined by the distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom walls 142-142 d. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the depths of the tensioning element channels 132 a, 132 b taper along the length of the channel 132 a, 132 b (i.e., a direction from the recess 124 towards the peripheral edge 118). The depths of the control element channels 132 c, 132 d taper in the same manner. Particularly, the depth of each channel 132 a-132 d is equal to the depth D124 of the recess 124 at the first end 134 a-134 d and tapers to zero (0) at the second end 136 a-136 d. In other words, the bottom walls 142 a-142 d of the channels 132 a-132 d are flush with the bottom wall 130 of the recess 124 at the first end 134 a-134 d of each channel 132 a-132 d and converge with and terminate at the inner surface 114 adjacent to the peripheral lip 122.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the anterior sidewalls 138 a, 138 b of the tensioning element channels 132 a, 132 b are flush with the anterior end wall 128 a of the recess 124, while the posterior sidewalls 140 c, 140 d of the control element channels 132 c, 132 d are flush with the posterior end wall 128 b of the recess 124 such that the channels 132 a-132 d are disposed at opposite ends of the recess 124. However, optionally, the channels 132 a-132 d may be spaced apart or offset from the end walls 128 a, 128 b of the recess 124.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8-12, the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 further includes a release cord channel 144 configured to route a release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400 through the outsole 102 from the recess 124 to the upper 200. While the release cord channel 144 may extend from and be in fluid communication with the recess 124 via any one of the sidewalls 126 a, 126 b or end walls 128 a, 128 b, the release cord channel 144 of the illustrated example extends from the posterior end wall 128 b of the recess 124.

A length of the release cord channel 144 extends from a first end 146 at the posterior end wall 128 b to a distal end 148 adjacent to the peripheral lip 122 at the second end 112 of the outsole 102. Thus, the length of the release cord channel 144 extends in a direction transverse to the lengths of each of the cable channels 132 a-132 d. Optionally, the release cord channel 144 may include a first portion 150 extending from the posterior end wall 128 b substantially parallel to the length of the recess 124, and a second portion 152 extending from the first portion 150 to the distal end 148 at an oblique angle relative to the first portion 150. In the illustrated example, the second portion 152 of the release cord channel 144 extends at an oblique angle from the first portion 150 and towards the lateral side 16. Accordingly, the distal end 148 of the release cord channel 144 is disposed adjacent to the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 at the second end 112 and on the lateral side 16.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the release cord channel 144 has a polygonal cross-sectional shape defined by a pair of sidewalls 154 a, 154 b and a bottom wall 156. Unlike the sidewalls 138 a-138 d, 140 a-140 d of the cable channels 132 a-132 d, which are substantially parallel and define a rectangular cross section, the sidewalls 154 a, 154 b of the release cord channel 144 converge with each other along a direction from the inner surface 114 to the bottom wall 156, providing the channel with a V-shaped cross-section. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the bottom wall 156 is offset from the bottom wall 130 of the recess 124 such that a depth of the release cord channel 144, defined as the distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom wall 156, is less than the depth D130 of the recess 124.

While the recess 124 and channels 132 a-132 d, 144 are defined within the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, the thickness T102 of the outsole 102 may be configured such that the walls of the recess 124 and channels 132 a-132 d, 144 are pronounced on the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10-12, the geometries of the recess 124 and channels 132 a-132 d, 144 form a projection 125 extending from the outer surface 116. The projection 125 has a shape or profile corresponding to the shape and profile of the recess 124 and channels 132 a-132 d, 144. For example, the projection 125 of the current example includes a rectangular portion corresponding in shape to the rectangular recess 124, and a plurality of elongate portions corresponding in shape to the elongate channels 132 a-132 d, 144. As shown, the projection 125 may be described as having a substantially H-shaped profile including the portions corresponding to the recess 124 and the channels 132 a-132 d. The projection 125 cooperates with the bottom surface 116 of the outsole 102 to form a portion of the ground-engaging surface of the outsole 102.

As previously mentioned, the sole structure 100 may include a plurality of traction elements 106 a-106 c extending from the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the traction elements 106 a-106 c are integrally molded with the outsole 102 and extend from the support bed 120. While the traction elements 106 a-106 c of the present disclosure are formed as hollow bodies or shells including cavities extending from the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, in other examples, the traction elements 106 a-106 c may be solid bodies extending from the outer surface 116.

The traction elements 106 a-106 c of the present disclosure include a plurality of chevron-shaped traction elements 106 a arranged in series along the lateral side 16 of the outsole 102, a series of hex-shaped traction elements 106 b arranged in series along the medial side 18 of the outsole 102, and a pair of straight traction element 106 c disposed between the lateral and medial sides 16, 18 in the forefoot region 20 of the outsole 102. The outsole 102 may be described as including a forefoot traction element set 108 a including four of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106 a, four of the hex-shaped traction elements 106 b, and the straight traction elements 106 c. The outsole 102 also includes a heel traction element set 108 b including a pair of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106 a and a pair of the hex-shaped traction elements 106 b.

As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 124 and cable channels 132 a-132 d are disposed in the mid-foot region 22, between the forefoot traction element set 108 a and the heel traction element set 108 b. The release cord channel 144 intersects the heel traction element set 108 b in the heel region 24 and extends between the chevron-shaped traction elements 106 a on the lateral side 16 and the hex-shaped traction elements 106 b on the medial side 18.

Optionally, the bottom surface 116 of the outsole 102 may include traction pads 158 a-158 c surrounding one or more of the traction elements 106 a-106 c. In the illustrated example, the bottom surface includes a triangular first traction pad 158 a surrounding one of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106 a at the anterior end 12 on the lateral side 16, a triangular second traction pad 158 b surrounding a pair of the hex-shaped traction elements 106 b at the anterior end 12 on the medial side 18, and a hexagonal third traction pad 158 c surrounding one of the hex-shaped traction elements 106 b and one of the straight traction elements 106 c on the medial side 18. The traction pads 158 a-158 c are substantially flush with the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102, and include a textured pattern. In the illustrated example, the traction pads 158 a-158 c have a honeycomb pattern (FIG. 7).

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100 is attached to and extends from the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 in the heel region 24. Generally, the heel counter 104 includes an inner surface 160 that is flush and continuous with the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, and an outer surface 162 that is flush and continuous with the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102. A distance from the inner surface 160 to the outer surface 162 defines a thickness T104 of the heel counter 104. As set forth above, the heel counter 104 may include a material having a lesser hardness and/or stiffness than the material of the outsole 102. Accordingly, the heel counter 104 may be formed independently from the outsole 102 and attached to the outsole 102 using a fastening means, such as an adhesive or melding process. As best shown in FIG. 9, the heel counter 104 includes a bottom edge 164 attached to the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102, and a terminal upper edge 166 disposed at an opposite end from the bottom edge 164. Referring to FIG. 6, a length of the heel counter 104 extends around the posterior end 14 from a lateral end 168 on the lateral side 16 to a medial end 170 on the medial side 18.

In the illustrated example, an attachment interface between the heel counter 104 and the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 forms a lap joint between the heel counter 104 and the outsole 102. Particularly, a portion of the outer surface 162 adjacent to the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 is recessed to form a tab 172 along the bottom portion of the outsole 102. Likewise, the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 may have a groove 174 having a depth and profile corresponding to the thickness and profile of the tab 172. When the sole structure 100 is assembled, the tab 172 is disposed within the groove 174 such that the lower portion of the heel counter 104 overlaps the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102. Here, the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 is flush and continuous with the inner surface 160 of the heel counter 104 at the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 and the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102 is flush and continuous with the outer surface 162 of the heel counter 104 at the peripheral edge 118 of the outsole 102. In other examples, the heel counter 104 may be joined to the outsole 102 by other joint configurations, such as a butt joint between the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 and the peripheral edge 118 of the outsole 102.

With reference to FIG. 4, the heel counter 104 includes an opening 176 formed through the thickness T104 of the heel counter 104. As discussed in greater detail below, the opening 176 provides access to a tightening grip 340 of the tensioning system 300 through the heel counter 104. In the illustrated example, the opening 176 is fully bounded by the heel counter 104. The opening 176 may have a substantially rectangular shape including a straight first end 178 a on the lateral side 16, a straight second end 178 b on the medial side 18, and lower and upper edges 180 a, 180 b extending between the ends 178 a, 178 b. Optionally, at least one of the lower and upper edges 180 a, 180 b may include a relief 182 configured to provide a gap or space for inserting a finger between the tightening grip 340 and the upper 200. In the illustrated example, the relief 182 is an arcuate relief 182 formed in the lower edge 180 a.

The upper 200 includes an enclosure 202 having a plurality of components that cooperate to define an interior void 204 and an ankle opening 206, which cooperate to receive and secure a foot for support on the sole structure 100. For example, the upper 200 includes a pair of quarter panels 208 in the mid-foot region 22 on opposite sides of the interior void 204. A throat 210 extends across the top of the upper 200 and defines an instep region extending between the quarter panels 208 from the ankle opening 206 to the forefoot region 20. In the illustrated example, the throat 210 is enclosed with a material panel extending between the opposing quarter panels 208 in the instep region to cover the interior void 204. Here, the material panel covering the throat 210 may be formed of a material having a higher modulus of elasticity than the material forming the quarter panels 208.

The upper 200 of the article of footwear 10 may be further described as including heel side panels 212 extending through the heel region 24 along the lateral and medial sides 16, 18 of the ankle opening 206. A heel counter 214 wraps around the posterior end 14 of the footwear 10 and connects the heel side panels 212. Uppermost edges of the throat 210, the heel side panels 208, and the heel counter 214 cooperate to form a collar 216, which defines the ankle opening 206 of the interior void 204.

The components of the enclosure 202 may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to define the interior void 204. Suitable materials of the upper 200 may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The example upper 200 may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper 200 to facilitate movement of the article of footwear 10 between the tightened state and the loosened state. The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon, leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart properties of elasticity.

The upper 200 may further include a plurality of routing elements 218 a-218 e, 220, 222 a, 222 b configured to interface or cooperate with the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 to adjust a fit of the enclosure 202. Particularly, the routing elements 218 a-218 e, 220, 222 a, 222 b are configured to convert a tensile force applied along a length of the cable 302 to directional forces to move the upper 200 between a relaxed state and a tightened state. The routing elements include a plurality of tensioning straps 218 a-218 e arranged along the forefoot region 20 and the mid-foot region 22 and configured to route the cable 302 along the throat 210, a heel strap 220 extending around the heel counter 214 of the upper 200, and one or more cable guides 222 a attached at fixed locations along the enclosure 202.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e include a series of medial tensioning straps 218 a-218 c and a pair of lateral tensioning straps 218 d-218 e alternatingly arranged along the length of the enclosure 202. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e each extend from a fixed end 224 a-224 e to a free end 226 a-226 e. The fixed end 224 a-224 e of each tensioning strap 218 a-218 e is attached to the enclosure 202 at a bite line 30 between the sole structure 100 and the upper 200, while the free end 226 a-226 e is disposed adjacent to the throat 210. As discussed below, the free end 226 a-226 e may include a loop or conduit 228 a-228 e through which the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 is routed.

In the illustrated example, each of the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e includes a pair of segments 230 a-230 e, 232 a-232 e attached to each other at the free end 226 a-226 e and independently attached to the enclosure 202 at the fixed end 224 a-224 e. Each tensioning strap 218 a-218 e may be formed of a continuous band, whereby a first portion or segment 230 a-230 e of the band extends from a first attachment point at the fixed end 226 a-226 e to the free end 226 a-226 e, where a second portion of segment 232 a-232 e of the band is folded back on the first segment 230 a-230 e to form the loop 228 a-228 e at the free end 226 a-226 e. From the free end 226 a-226 e, the second segment 232 a-232 e extends to a second attachment point at the fixed end 224 a-224 e. Thus, the fixed end 226 a-226 e of each strap 218 a-218 e may include two independent attachment points at the bite line 30. In other examples, the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e may be formed of a single piece or segment extending between the fixed end 224 a-224 e and the free end 226 a-226 e, and/or the loop 228 a-228 e may be independently formed and attached to the free end 226 a-226 e.

As previously mentioned, the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e include a series of medial tensioning straps 218 a-218 c arranged along the medial side 18 and a series of lateral tensioning straps 218 d, 218 e arranged along the lateral side 16. The lateral tensioning straps 218 d, 218 e are offset or staggered along the length of the throat 210 relative to the medial tensioning straps 218 a-218 c. Thus, the medial tensioning straps 218 a-218 c and the lateral tensioning straps 218 d, 218 e are alternatingly arranged along the length of the throat 210.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, a first medial tensioning strap 218 a extends from a fixed end 224 a attached to the bite line 30 in a toe portion of the forefoot region 20, to a free end 226 a adjacent to a medial side of the throat 210 in the forefoot region 20. A second medial tensioning strap 218 b includes a fixed end 224 b attached to the bite line 30 in the mid-foot region 22 adjacent to the forefoot region 20, and a free end 226 b disposed adjacent to the medial side of the throat 210 in the mid-foot region 22. A third medial tensioning strap 218 c includes a fixed end 224 c attached to the bite line 30 in the mid-foot region 22 adjacent to the heel region 24, and a free end 226 c disposed adjacent to the medial side of the throat 210 near the ankle opening 206.

On the lateral side 16, a first lateral tensioning strap 218 d extends from a fixed end 224 d attached to the bite line 30 in a ball portion of the forefoot region 20, to a free end 226 d disposed adjacent to the lateral side of the throat 210. As shown in FIG. 3, the free end 226 d of the first lateral tensioning strap 218 d is positioned between the free ends 226 a, 226 b of the first and second medial tensioning straps 218 a, 218 b along the longitudinal direction. A second lateral tensioning strap 218 e includes a fixed end 224 e attached to the bite line 30 in the mid-foot region 22 adjacent to the heel region 24, and a free end 226 d disposed adjacent to the throat 210 on the lateral side 16 near the ankle opening 206. Here, the free end 226 e of the second lateral tensioning strap 218 e is aligned with the free end 226 c of the third medial tensioning strap 218 c across the throat 210.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heel strap 220 extends around the heel counter 214 of the upper 200 from a first end 234 a located at the heel side panel 212 on the lateral side 16 to a second end 234 b located at the heel side panel 212 on the medial side 18. Each end 234 a, 234 b of the heel strap 220 may be attached the enclosure 202 by a respective harness 236 a, 236 b. For example, on the lateral side 16 (FIG. 1), the first end 234 a of the heel strap 220 is attached to the enclosure 202 by a first harness 236 a having an upper tether 238 a extending towards the collar 216 and a lower tether 240 a extending to the bite line 30. Similarly, on the medial side 18 (FIG. 2), the second end of the heel strap 220 is attached to the enclosure 202 by a second harness 236 b having an upper tether 238 b extending towards the collar 216 and a lower tether 240 b extending to the bite line 30. Thus, the heel strap 220, and particularly, the ends 234 a, 234 b of the heel strap 220, may not be directly attached to the enclosure 202.

The upper 200 may include one or more gripping features 242 for manipulating the footwear 10 on the foot. In the illustrated example, the upper 200 includes a loosening grip 242 attached to the throat 210 at the anterior end of the ankle opening 206. In use, the loosening grip 242 may be pulled by a wearer to pull the throat 210 away from the foot, thereby expanding the size of the interior void 204 to allow a foot to be inserted and removed. Optionally, the loosening grip 242 may be attached to a portion of the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300, such that when the loosening grip 242 is pulled, a length of the cable 302 extending along the throat 210 is increased to allow the upper 200 to move to a relaxed or loosened state.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper 200 may include a shroud 250 covering a portion of the enclosure 202 and the routing elements 218 a-218 e, 220, 222 a, 222 b. In the illustrated example, the shroud 250 covers the enclosure 202 in the forefoot region 20 and the mid-foot region 22, and extends partially along the heel region 24. Particularly, the shroud 250 extends along the heel side panels 212 and interfaces with the ends 168, 170 of the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100 to fully cover the enclosure 202 of the upper 200. The shroud 250 may be formed of a lightweight, translucent mesh or film material, such that the routing elements 218 a-218 e, 220, 222 a, 222 b are enclosed but visible.

The upper 200 may also include a support plate 252 disposed along the medial side of the enclosure 202. Generally, the support plate 252 is configured to distribute forces applied to the medial tensioning straps 218 a-218 c along the medial side of the foot. As shown, the support plate 252 is attached along the bite line 30 of the article of footwear 10 and a height of the support plate 252 extends vertically towards the throat 210 and ankle opening 206. In the illustrated example, the support plate 252 includes an elongate posterior portion 254 and an angled anterior portion 256. The posterior portion 254 has a constant height extending towards the posterior end 14 from a transition portion 258 of the support plate 252 disposed between the second medial tensioning strap 218 b and the third medial tensioning strap 218 c. The anterior portion 256 extends at an oblique angle away from the bite line 30 and towards the anterior end 12, such that the height of the anterior portion 256 increases from the transition portion 258 and is greater than the height of the posterior portion 254. The anterior portion 256 is disposed between the second medial tensioning strap 218 b and the enclosure 202 to distribute forces applied to the second medial tensioning strap 218 b along the medial side 18 of the foot.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the tensioning system 300 includes the cable 302 routed along the cable routing elements 218 a-218 e, 220, 222 a of the upper 200 to move the footwear 10 between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tensioning system 300 may include one or more sheaths 310 for managing slack in the cable 302. As discussed below, the sheath 310 maintains the cable 302 in a retracted state against the upper 200 when the upper 200 is in the tightened state.

The cable 302 may be highly lubricous and/or may be formed from one or more fibers having a low modulus of elasticity and a high tensile strength. For instance, the fibers may include high modulus polyethylene fibers having a high strength-to-weight ratio and a low elasticity. Additionally or alternatively, the cable 302 may be formed from a molded monofilament polymer and/or a woven steel with or without other lubrication coating. In some examples, the cable 302 includes multiple strands of material woven together.

The cable 302 includes a tensioning element 312 and a control element 314 that cooperate with the cable routing elements 218 a-218 e, 220, 222 a of the upper 200 and the tensioning device 400 to move the article of footwear 10 between the tightened state and the relaxed state. The tensioning element 312 and the control element 314 may be collectively referred to as adjustment elements 312, 314. The adjustment elements 312, 314 are movable in a tightening direction D_(T) to move the article of footwear 10 into the tightened state, and in a loosening direction D_(L) to allow the article of footwear 10 to transition to a relaxed state. In some examples, a tightening force F_(T) applied to the control element 314 is transmitted to at least a portion of the tensioning element 312 through the tensioning device 400 to move the tensioning element 312 in the tightening direction D_(T).

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the tensioning element 312 and the control element 314 may be described as including lateral strands 316, 320 and medial strands 318, 322. More specifically, the tensioning element 312 includes a lateral tensioning strand 316 and a medial tensioning strand 318, and the control element 314 also includes a lateral control strand 320 and a medial control strand 322. In the illustrated example, the lateral tensioning strand 316 of the tensioning element 312 is connected to the lateral control strand 320 of the control element 314 through the tensioning device 400. Similarly, the medial tensioning strand 318 of the tensioning element 312 is connected to the medial control strand 322 of the control element 314 through the tensioning device 400. Accordingly, positions of the lateral and medial tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 may be adjusted by moving a respective one of the lateral and medial control strands 320, 322 of the control element 314.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2B, the routing of the tensioning element 312 along each of the lateral and medial sides 16, 18 is shown. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the tensioning element 312 may be described as including the lateral tensioning strand 316 and the medial tensioning strand 318. Generally, the lateral tensioning strand 316 extends from the tensioning device 400 on the lateral side 16 and is routed along a lower, anterior portion of the throat 210. Conversely, the medial tensioning strand 318 extends from the tensioning device 400 on the medial side 18 and is routed along an upper, posterior portion of the throat 210.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, on the lateral side 16 of the article of footwear 10, the lateral tensioning strand 316 includes a first end 324 received by the tensioning device 400 and a second end 326 attached at the bite line 30 on the lateral side 16 in the forefoot region 20. Here, the lateral tensioning strand 316 is routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess 124 of the outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the lateral tensioning element channel 132 a of the outsole 102 of the sole structure 100. The lateral tensioning strand 316 then extends along the lateral quarter panel 208 and over the throat 210 to the free end 226 b of the second medial tensioning strap 218 b on the medial side of the throat 210. From the second medial tensioning strap 218 b, the lateral tensioning strand 316 extends across the throat 210 and is routed through the free end 226 d of the first lateral tensioning strap 218 d on the lateral side of the throat 210. The lateral tensioning strand 316 is then routed across the throat 210 from the first lateral tensioning strap 218 d to the free end 226 a of the first medial tensioning strap 218 a, and then back to the second end 326 attached to the upper 200 on the lateral side 16. Thus, when the tightening force F_(T) is applied to the lateral tensioning strand 316, the free ends 226 a, 226 b of the first and second medial tensioning straps 218 a, 218 b are drawn towards the free end 226 d of the first lateral tensioning strap 218 d across the throat 210. In other words, the lateral tensioning strand 316 controls a fit of the upper 200 along a lower or anterior portion of the throat 210.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the medial side 18 of the article of footwear 10, the medial tensioning strand 318 includes a first end 328 received by the tensioning device 400 and a second end 330 attached to the free end 226 c of the third medial tensioning strap 218 c. Here, the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess 124 of the outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the medial tensioning element channel 132 b. A first segment of the medial tensioning strand 318 extends along the medial heel side panel 212 from the bite line 30 to the medial end 234 b of the heel strap 220. From the heel strap 220, the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed through a cable guide 222 b on the medial heel side panel 212 such that a second segment of the medial tensioning strand 318 returns along the medial side panel 212 and across the throat 210. The medial tensioning strand 318 is then routed through the loop 228 e at the free end 226 e of the second lateral tensioning strap 218 e on the lateral side of the throat 210, and then returns across the throat 210 and is attached to the free end 226 c of the third medial tensioning strap 218 c. Thus, when the tightening force F_(T) is applied to the medial tensioning strand 318, the free ends 226 c, 226 e of the third medial tensioning strap 218 c and the second lateral tensioning strap 218 e are drawn towards each other across the throat 210. Accordingly, the medial tensioning strand 318 controls a fit of the upper 200 along an upper or posterior portion of the throat 210.

As described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lateral control strand 320 of the control element 314 is connected to the lateral tensioning strand 316 of the tensioning element 312 through the tensioning device 400, and extends from a first end 332 at the tensioning device 400 to a second end 334 along the upper 200. Particularly, the lateral control strand 320 of the control element 314 is routed from the tensioning device 400 to the bite line 30 through the lateral control element channel 132 c, and then along the lateral heel side panel 212 to the heel counter 214 of the upper 200.

Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the medial control strand 322 of the control element 314 is connected to the medial tensioning strand 318 of the tensioning element 312 through the tensioning device 400, and extends from a first end 336 at the tensioning device 400 to a second end 338 along the upper 200. The medial control strand 322 of the control element 314 is routed from the tensioning device 400 to the bite line 30 through the medial control element channel 132 d, then along the medial heel side panel 212 to the heel counter 214 of the upper 200.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second end 334 of the lateral control strand 320 may be connected to the second end 338 of the medial control strand 322 at the posterior end 14, such that the lateral control strand 320 and the medial control strand 322 form a continuous loop extending around the heel counter 214 of the upper 200. In other examples, the second ends 334, 338 of the lateral control strand 320 and the medial control strand 322 may be indirectly connected to each other by an intermediate connecting element (not shown).

A portion of the control element 314 that extends around the heel counter 214 may be enclosed within one or more of the sheaths 310. Each sheath 310 may be formed from a material and/or a weave that allows the sheath 310 and the control element 314 to move from a relaxed state to a stretched or expanded state when the control element 314 is moved in a direction away from the upper 200 by way of the tightening force F_(T) (i.e., when the control element 314 is moved in the tightening direction D_(T)). When the tightening force F_(T) is removed, the material and/or weave of the sheath 310 automatically causes the sheath 310 to contract to the relaxed state and accommodate bunching of the control element 314 therein, as shown in FIG. 4. As shown, the control element 314 is routed through the sheath 310 and around the heel counter 214 of the upper 200.

In the example shown, the connected second ends 334, 338 of the control element 314 and/or the sheath 310 may form the tightening grip 340 configured to allow a user to apply the tightening force F_(T) to pull the control element 314 away from the upper 200, thereby causing each of the control element 314 and the tensioning element 312 to move in the tightening direction D_(T). Here, the tightening grip 340 is defined by the sheath 310 and is exposed at the posterior end 14 through the opening 176 formed through the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100. In use, the user can grasp the tightening grip 340 by inserting one or more fingers between the tightening grip 340 and the upper 200 via the relief 182 formed in the lower edge 180 a of the opening 176. Other configurations may include operatively connecting one or more tightening grips 340 along the length of the control element 314.

The upper 200 is moveable between a relaxed state and a tightened state by adjusting the tensioning element 312 along the throat 210 of the upper 200. As shown, the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 can be moved in the tightening direction D_(T) by applying a tightening force F_(T) to the control element 314. For instance, a user may apply the tightening force F_(T) to the control element 314 by pulling the tightening grip 340 and the sheath 310 away from the upper 200, thereby moving the control element 314 in the tightening direction D_(T). Here, the tightening force F_(T) is applied to each of the control strands 320, 322 and is transmitted to respective ones of the tensioning strands 316, 318 through the tensioning device 400. The tightening force F_(T) pulls the tensioning strands 316, 318 in the tightening direction to draw the free ends 226 a-226 e of the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e towards each other across the throat 210. As provided above, the fit of the upper 200 may be zonally adjusted along the length of the throat 210 by applying the tightening force F_(T) to one or the lateral control strand 320 or the medial control strand 322. For instance, applying the tightening force F_(T) to the lateral control strand 320 will tighten the lateral tensioning strand 316 along the lower portion of the throat 210, while applying the tightening force to the medial control strand 322 will tighten the medial tensioning strand 318 along the upper portion of the throat 210.

The locking device or tensioning device 400 may be disposed within the cavity of the sole structure 100, and may be biased to a locked state to restrict movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314 in their respective loosening directions D_(L). The tensioning element 312 and the control element 314 each approach and pass through a housing 402 of the tensioning device 400 from opposite directions. In some configurations, the tensioning device 400 permits movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314 in the tightening directions D_(T) while in the locked state.

The release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400 is operable to move the locking device 400 between an unlocked state and the locked state so that the cable 302 can be selectively moved in the tightening direction D_(T) and loosening direction D_(L). The release cord 404 is routed from a first end 406 at the tensioning device 400 to a second end 408 attached to a release grip 410 at the posterior end of the ankle opening 206. As discussed previously, the release cord 404 is routed from the recess 124 to the upper 200 through the release cord channel 144 of the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the release cord channel 144 extends through the heel region 24, such that the release cord 404 is routed up the posterior end 14 between the heel counter 214 of the upper 200 and the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100.

With particular reference to FIGS. 14-16, an article of footwear l0 a is provided and includes a sole structure 100 a and the upper 200 attached to the sole structure 100 a. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the article of footwear 10 with respect to the article of footwear 10 a, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

The sole structure 100 a of the article of footwear l0 a includes the outsole 102 discussed above and a heel counter 104 a substantially similar to the heel counter 104 previously described. However, unlike the heel counter 104 above, which includes an opening 176 that is fully surrounded, the opening 176 a of the heel counter 104 a is formed as a notch 176 a within the upper portion of the heel counter 104 a. Thus, the heel counter 104 a extends from the bottom edge 164 to the lower edge 180 a of the opening 176 a. In this example, the heel counter 104 a may include a pair of ears 184 a, 184 b disposed at opposite ends of the notch 176 a, where each ear 184 a, 184 b is formed between an end 168, 170 of the heel counter 104 a and an end 178 a, 178 b of the notch 176 a. In this example, the tightening grip 340 is exposed between the ears 184 a, 184 b.

With particular reference to FIGS. 17-19, an article of footwear 10 b is provided and includes a sole structure 100 b and the upper 200 attached to the sole structure 100 b. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the article of footwear 10 with respect to the article of footwear 10 b, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

The sole structure 100 b of the article of footwear 10 b includes the outsole 102 discussed above and a heel counter 104 b substantially similar to the heel counter 104 previously described. In this example, the upper edge 166 of the heel counter 104 b terminates below the tightening grip 340 of the tensioning system 300. Accordingly, the opening 176 b of the heel counter 104 b is simply formed as an exposed region above the upper edge 166 of the heel counter 104 b.

With particular reference to FIGS. 20-23, an article of footwear 10 c is provided and includes the sole structure 100 and an upper 200 a attached to the sole structure 100. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the article of footwear 10 with respect to the article of footwear 10 c, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

The article of footwear 10 c includes the sole structure 100 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-13, but includes an upper 200 a having an alternative routing of the cable 302 and the release cord 404 along the upper 200 a. Here, the upper 200 a includes a pair of medial tensioning straps 218 f, 218 g arranged along the medial side of the throat 210 and a pair of lateral tensioning straps 218 h, 218 i arranged along the lateral side of the throat 210. Unlike the upper 200 discussed above, where the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e are staggered along the throat 210, in the present example, the medial tensioning straps 218 f, 218 g are arranged directly across the throat 210 from the lateral tensioning straps 218 h, 218 i.

As shown in FIGS. 20-22, the lateral tensioning strand 316 includes the first end 324 received by the tensioning device 400 and the second end 326 attached at the bite line 30 on the medial side 18 in the forefoot region 20. Here, the lateral tensioning strand 316 is routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess 124 of the outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the lateral tensioning element channel 132 a of the outsole 102. A first segment of the lateral tensioning strand 316 is routed rearward to a cable guide 222 b attached to the lateral heel side panel 212. From the cable guide 222 b, the lateral tensioning strand 316 is routed across the throat 210 to the free end 226 g of the second medial tensioning strap 218 g on the medial side of the throat 210, and then back across the throat 210 to the free end 226 h of the first lateral tensioning strap 218 h on the lateral side of the throat 210. The lateral tensioning strand 316 then extends to the second end 326 attached at the bite line 30 on the medial side 18 in the forefoot region 20.

With continued reference to FIGS. 20-22, the medial tensioning strand 318 includes the first end 328 received by the tensioning device 400 and the second end 330 attached at the bite line 30 on the lateral side in the forefoot region 20. Here, the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed from the tensioning device 400 in the recess 124 of the outsole 102 to the upper 200 through the medial tensioning element channel 132 b of the outsole 102. A first segment of the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed rearward to a cable guide 222 a attached to the medial heel side panel 212. From the cable guide 222 a, the medial tensioning strand 318 is routed across the throat to the free end 226 i of the second lateral tensioning strap 218 i on the lateral side of the throat 210, and then back across the throat 210 to the free end 226f of the first medial tensioning strap 218 f on the lateral side of the throat 210. The medial tensioning strand 318 then extends to the second end 330 attached at the bite line 30 on the lateral in the forefoot region 20.

The control element 314 of the article of footwear 10 c is routed in the same manner as the control element 314 discussed above with respect to the articles of footwear 10-10 b. However, as shown in FIG. 20, the release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400 is routed along one of the sides 16, 18 of the upper 200 a, instead of along the posterior end 14. In the illustrated example, the release cord 404 is routed from the recess 124 to the upper 200 a through the lateral control element channel 132 c. The release cord 404 then extends from the bite line 30 on the lateral side 16 and along the lateral heel side panel 212 to the second end 408 adjacent to the collar 216 on the lateral side 16. Thus, the release grip 410 is located on the lateral side of the ankle opening 206. The release cord 404 may be concealed beneath the shroud 250, when included.

Referring to FIGS. 24-27, in some implementations, the tensioning device 400 includes the housing 402 and a locking member or lock member 412 slidably disposed within the housing 402 and enclosed by a lid 414 fastened to the housing 402. FIG. 25 provides an exploded view of the tensioning device 400 of FIG. 24 showing the locking member 412 and the lid 414 removed from the housing 402. The housing 402 defines a length extending between a first end 416 and a second end 418. The housing 402 includes a base portion 420 having a cable-receiving surface 422 and a mounting surface 424 disposed on an opposite side of the base portion 420 than the cable-receiving surface 422 and opposing the exterior surface of the upper 200. The lid 414 opposes the cable-receiving surface 422 of the base portion 420 to define a locking member cavity 426 therebetween that is configured to receive the locking member 412 and a portion of the tensioning system 300. In some configurations, the locking member cavity 426 is bounded by a first engagement surface 428 and a second engagement surface 430 (FIGS. 26 and 27) that converge toward one another such that the locking member cavity 426 is associated with a wedge-shaped configuration tapering toward the second end 418 of the housing 402. Accordingly, the first engagement surface 428 and the second engagement surface 430 include corresponding sidewalls of the housing 402 converging toward one another and extending between the lid 414 and the cable-receiving surface 422 of the base portion 420 to define the locking member cavity 426.

As discussed above, the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 may include a tensioning element 312 and a control element 314, which are connected to each other by a locking element 315 that extends through the locking member cavity 426 and includes a first portion extending along the first engagement surface 428 and a second portion extending along the second engagement surface 430. The tensioning element 312 exits out of corresponding slots 432 (FIGS. 26 and 27) formed through opposing sidewalls of the housing 402 proximate to the first end 416. The control element 314 exits out of corresponding slots 432 (FIGS. 26 and 27) formed through the opposing sidewalls of the housing 402 proximate to the second end 418.

In some implementations, the locking member 412 includes a first lock surface 434 opposing the first engagement surface 428 of the housing 402 and a second lock surface 436 opposing the second engagement surface 430 of the housing 402 when the locking member 412 is disposed within the locking member cavity 426 of the housing 402. In some examples, the first lock surface 434 and the second lock surface 436 converge toward one another. Additionally or alternatively, the first lock surface 434 may be substantially parallel to the first engagement surface 428 and the second lock surface 436 may be substantially parallel to the second engagement surface 430. In the example shown, the lock surfaces 434, 436 include projections or teeth each having an angled surface to permit movement by tensioning system 300 in the tightening direction D_(T) (i.e., when the tightening force F_(T) is applied to control element 314) while restricting movement by the tensioning system 300 by gripping the locking element 315 in the loosening direction D_(L) when the locking member 412 is in the locked state. A biasing member 438 (e.g., a spring) may include a first end 440 attached to the second end 418 of the housing 402 and a second end 442 attached to a first end 444 of the locking member 412 to attach the locking member 412 to the housing 402.

In some implementations, the locking member 412 is slidably disposed within the housing 402 and is movable between a locked position (FIG. 26) associated with the locked state of the tensioning device 400 and an unlocked position (FIG. 27) associated with the unlocked state of the tensioning device 400. In some examples, the release mechanism 404 (e.g., release cord 404) moves the locking member 412 from the locked position (FIG. 26) to the unlocked position (FIG. 27). The locking member 412 may include a tab portion 446 extending from an opposite end of the locking member 412 than the first end 444. In one configuration, the first end 406 of the release cord 404 attaches to the tab portion 446 of the locking member 412. The tab portion 446 may include a pair of retention features or recesses 448 formed in corresponding ones of the first lock surface 434 and the second lock surface 436 and selectively receiving one or more retention features 450 associated with the housing 402 to maintain the tensioning device 400 in the unlocked state. The retention features 450 associated with the housing 402 may include a first retention feature 450 and a second retention feature 450 disposed on opposite sides of the housing 402, whereby the retention features 450 are biased inward toward the cavity 426 and one another by corresponding biasing members 452. The retention features 450 may be projections that are integrally formed with the housing 402 such that the retention features 450 act as living hinges movable between a retracted state (FIG. 26) and an extended state (FIG. 27).

FIG. 26 provides a top view of the tensioning device 400 of FIG. 24 with the lid 414 removed to show the locking member 412 disposed within the cavity 426 of the housing 402 while in the locked position. In some examples, the locking member 412 is biased into the locked position. For instance, FIG. 26 shows the biasing member 438 exerting a biasing force F_(B) (represented in a direction D_(B)) upon the locking member 412 to urge the first end 444 of the locking member 412 toward the second end 418 of the housing 402, and thereby bias the locking member 412 into the locked position. While in the locked position, the locking member 412 restricts movement of the tensioning system 300 relative to the housing 402 by pinching the locking element 315 of the tensioning system 300 between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and the engagement surfaces 428, 430. Accordingly, the locked position of the locking member 412 restricts the tensioning system 300 from moving in the loosening direction D_(L). In the example shown, the locking member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 when the tightening force F_(T) is applied to the tightening grip 340, as this direction causes the tensioning system 300 to apply a force on the locking member 412 due to the generally wedge shape of the locking member 412, thereby moving the locking member 412 into the unlocked state. The locking member 412 automatically returns to the locked state once the force applied to the tightening grip 340 is released due to the forces imparted on the locking member 412 by the biasing member 438.

FIG. 27 provides a top view of the tensioning device 400 of FIG. 24 with the lid 414 removed to show the locking member 412 disposed within the cavity 426 of the housing 402 while in the unlocked position. In some examples, the release cord 404 attached to the tab portion 446 of the locking member 412 applies a release force F_(R) upon the locking member 412 to move the locking member 412 away from the first engagement surface 428 and the second engagement surface 430 relative to the housing 402. Here, the release force F_(R) is sufficient to overcome the biasing force F_(B) of the biasing member 438 to permit the locking member 412 to move relative to the housing 402 such that the pinching upon the locking element 315 of the tensioning system 300 between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and the engagement surfaces 428, 430 is released. In some examples, the biasing force F_(B) causes the locking member 412 to transition back to the locked position when the release force F_(R) applied by the release cord 404 is released. The release cord 404 may apply the release force F_(R) when a release force F_(R) of sufficient or predetermined magnitude is applied to pull the release cord 404 away from the upper 200 relative to the view of FIG. 27.

While in the unlocked position, the locking member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 relative to the housing 402 by allowing the locking element 315 of the tensioning system 300 to freely move between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and the engagement surfaces 428, 430. The unlocked position of the locking member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 in both the tightening direction D_(T) and the loosening direction D_(L) when the forces F_(T), F_(L) are applied to respective ones of the control element 314 and the tensioning element 312.

In some examples, a sufficient magnitude and/or duration of the release force F_(R) applied to the release cord 404 causes the release cord 404 to apply the release force F_(R) (FIG. 27) upon the locking member 412 in a direction opposite the direction of the biasing force F_(B) (FIG. 26) such that the locking member 412 moves away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 relative to the housing 402 and toward the first end 416 of the housing 402. At least one of the retention features 450 of the housing 402 may engage the retention feature 448 of the locking member 412 when release force F_(R) moves the locking member 412 a predetermined distance away from the first engagement surface 428 and the second engagement surface 430 of the housing 402. Here, engagement between the retention feature 448 of the locking member 412 and the at least one retention feature 450 of the housing 402 maintains the locking member 412 in the unlocked position once the release force F_(R) is released. The biasing force F_(B) of the biasing member 438 and the forces exerted by the pair of biasing members 452 on the retention features 450 lock the retention feature 448 of the locking member 412 into engagement with the retention features 450 of the housing 402 after the locking member 412 moves the predetermined distance and the release force F_(R) is no longer applied.

In some scenarios, a release force F_(R) associated with a first magnitude may be applied to the release cord 404 to move the locking member 412 away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 by a distance less than the predetermined distance such that the retention features 448, 450 do not engage. In these scenarios, the release force F_(R) associated with the first magnitude can be maintained when it is desirable to move the tensioning system 300 in the loosening direction D_(L) or the tightening direction D_(T) (e.g., by applying the tightening force F_(T) to the tightening grip 340) for adjusting the fit of the interior void 204 around the foot. Once the desired fit of the interior void 204 around the foot is achieved, the release force F_(R) can be released to cause the locking member 412 to transition back to the locked position so that movement of the tensioning system 300 is restricted in the loosening direction D_(L) and the desired fit can be sustained. It should be noted that even when the locking member 412 is in the locked position, the tensioning system 300 can be moved in the tightening direction D_(T). As such, once the release force F_(R) is released and a desired fit is achieved, the locking member 412 automatically retains the desired fit by locking a position of the tensioning system 300 relative to the housing 402.

In other scenarios, a release force F_(R) associated with a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude can be applied to the release cord 404 to move the locking member 412 the predetermined distance away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 to cause the corresponding retention features 448, 450 to engage. Engagement of the retention features 448, 450 is facilitated by providing the retention features 450 with a tapered edge that opposes the locking member 412 to allow the locking member 412 to more easily move the retention features 450 against the biasing force F_(B) imparted thereon by the biasing members 452 when the release cord 404 is pulled the predetermined distance. In these scenarios, engagement between the corresponding retention features 448, 450 maintains the locking member 412 in the unlocked position when the release force F_(R) is released.

The locking member 412 is returned to the locked position when a tightening force F_(T) is applied to the control element 314. Namely, when a force is applied to the lateral and medial control strands 320, 322, these control strands 320, 322 are placed in tension which, in turn, exerts a force on the biasing members 452 via the retention features 450, as the control strands 320, 322 pass through a portion of the retention features 450. In so doing, the retention features 450 compress the biasing members 452 and, as such, cause the retention features 450 to move away from one another and disengage the retention features 448 of the locking member 412, thereby allowing the biasing member 438 to return the locking member 412 to the locked position.

In use, the article of footwear 10-10 c can be selectively moved between a relaxed state and a tightened state using the tensioning system 300 and tensioning device 400. With the footwear 10-10 c initially provided in a relaxed state, an effective length of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 (i.e., the lengths from the first ends 324, 328 to the second ends 326, 330) will be maximized, such that the tensioning element 312 and the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e are in a relaxed state about the upper 200, 200 a, while an effective length of the control strands 320, 322 of the control element 314 (i.e., the lengths from the first ends 332, 336 to the second ends 334, 338) is minimized. Accordingly, a foot of a user can be inserted into the interior void 204 of the footwear 10-10 c with the materials of the upper 200, 200 a allowing the upper 200, 200 a to stretch to accommodate the foot therein.

With the foot of the user inserted within the interior void 204 of the upper 200, 200 a, the tensioning system 300 can be moved to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 10-10 c to the foot. As discussed above, the tensioning system 300 is moved to the tightened state by applying a tightening force F_(T) to the tightening grip 340 of the control element 314, thereby causing the control element 314 to move in the tightening direction D_(T). As the control element 314 moves in the tightening direction D_(T), the cable 302 is pulled through the housing 402 of the tensioning device 400, thereby causing the effective lengths of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 to be reduced. Accordingly, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 is minimized around the upper 200 to move the upper 200 to a tightened state around the foot.

As discussed above, when the tensioning element 312 is moved in the tightening direction D_(T), the lateral and medial tensioning strands 316, 318 distribute the tightening force F_(T) to the free ends 226 a-226 e of the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e to draw the tensioning straps 218 a-218 e tight over the throat 210. Simultaneously, the effective length of the control element 314 may be increased when the tensioning system 300 is moved to the tightened state. However, the control element 314 is maintained in a taut position against the upper 200 by the elasticity of the sheath 310, which accommodates the increased effective length of the control element 314 by allowing the control element 314 to “bunch” within the sheath 306 when the sheath 310 is contracted.

When a user desires to remove the article of footwear 10-10 c from the foot, the tensioning system 300 may be moved to the loosened state to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed around the foot. Initially, the tensioning device 400 must be moved to the unlocked state by applying a sufficient release force F_(R) to overcome the biasing force F_(B) of the biasing member 438, as discussed above. Once the tensioning device 400 is moved to the unlocked state, the cable 302 can be pulled in the loosening direction D_(L) through the housing 402 of the tensioning device by pulling the article of footwear 10 from the foot of the user, which inherently causes the upper to expand and increases the effective lengths of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312.

With reference to FIGS. 28-32, another example of a manual tensioning device 400 a is shown, where the tensioning device 400 a is embodied as a rotary mechanism. FIG. 28 provides an exploded view of the tensioning device 400 a, showing a housing 402 a defining a cavity 454 configured to rotatably receive a spool 456, a first pawl 458, and a second pawl 460. The tensioning device 400 a may include a lid 462 fastened to the housing 402 a to prevent access to the cavity 454 when the lid 462 is fastened to the housing 402 a and to allow access to the cavity 454 when the lid 462 is removed from the housing 402 a. One or more fasteners 464 may extend through the lid 462 and fasten with threaded holes 466 in the housing 402 a to secure the lid 462 to the housing 402 a.

The housing 402 a defines a plurality of retainer slots 468 each configured to receive and support a respective cable retainer 470 through which the cable adjustment elements are routed into the cavity 454 of the housing 402 a. The housing 402 a may support a plurality of the cable retainers 470 such that the ends of the adjustment elements 312, 314 each extend through a respective one of the cable retainers 470.

As described in greater detail below, the housing 402 a may further include a retaining wall 472 disposed within the cavity 454. The retaining wall 472 is configured to cooperate with the first pawl 458. The retaining wall 472 may further include a tactile slot 474 configured to receive one or more tactile domes 476. Described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 30-32, the first pawl 458 may engage the tactile dome(s) 476 to provide a click or other sound that indicates the spool 456 has changed positions relative to the housing 402 a and/or the tensioning device 400 a has transitioned from the locked state to the unlocked state.

FIG. 30 provides a top view of the housing 402 a showing a pair of mounting flanges 478, 480 disposed on opposite sides of the housing 402 a. The mounting flanges 478, 480 may rest upon an inner surface of the recess 124 of the sole structure 100 to mount the tensioning device 400 a within the sole structure 100. Alternatively, the flanges 478, 480 may attach to a strobel of the upper 200. The strobel can be any support structure forming an underfoot portion of the footwear 10 that is at least disposed between the sole structure 100 and the interior void 204. In some examples, bonding agents, such as adhesives and/or epoxies, may be applied to the contact surfaces of the mounting flanges 478, 480 and/or the inner surface of the recess 124 of the sole structure 100 for attaching the housing 402 a within the recess 124. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting flanges 478, 480 may define one or more mounting holes 482 formed therethrough and configured to receive a fastener (not shown) for mounting the housing 402 a to the sole structure 100.

FIG. 30 shows the housing 402 a with the pawls 458, 460, adjustment elements 312, 314, and other components of the tensioning device 400 a removed to expose an elongate channel 484 formed through the housing 402 a. As discussed in greater detail below, the elongate channel 484 aligns with an attachment point of the first pawl 458 and permits the release cord 404 to pass underneath the housing 402 a and up through a feed slot 486 defined by the mounting flange 480. The mounting flange 480 also defines a cut-out region 477 proximate to the feed slot 486 to provide more clearance for the release cord 404 (and/or a conduit enclosing the release cord 404) to extend from the housing 402 a. The mounting flanges 478, 480 may define a lip around the perimeter of the housing 402 a so that the housing 402 a is spaced apart from the mounting surface of the recess 124 or the strobel, allowing the release cord 404 to be routed between the housing 402 a and the mounting surface of the recess 124 or strobel. Thus, the release cord 404 may freely extend underneath the housing 402 a between the elongate channel 484 and the feed slot 486. In some examples, the feed slot 486 has a curved edge to prevent the release cord 404 from catching or being restricted by the housing 402 a.

Referring now to FIG. 29, the spool 456 is supported within the cavity 454 of the housing 402 a and may rotate relative to the housing 402 a. In some examples, the spool 456 rotates relative to the housing 402 a in a first direction D_(S1) when the adjustment elements 312, 314 move in the tightening direction D_(T) and in an opposite second direction D_(S2) when the adjustment elements 312, 314 move in the loosening direction D_(L). The spool 456 includes a first channel or annular groove 488 configured to collect portions of the tensioning element 312 and a second channel or annular groove 490 configured to collect portions of the control element 314. The spool 456 may include one or more anchor slots 492 formed through a divider wall separating the channels 488, 490 for fixing a rotational position of each of the adjustment elements 312, 314 relative to the spool 456.

The tensioning device 400 a also includes a ratchet mechanism 494 associated with the spool 456 and having a plurality of teeth 496 positioned circumferentially around an axis of the ratchet mechanism 494 and protruding radially inward therefrom. In some implementations, the ratchet mechanism 494 is integrally formed upon an inner circumferential wall of the spool 456 such that the plurality of teeth 496 protrude radially inward from the channels 488, 490. In other examples, the ratchet mechanism 494 is supported for common rotation with the spool 456.

The first pawl 458 is disposed within the cavity 454 of the housing 402 a and is configured to cooperate with the ratchet mechanism 494 to selectively prevent and allow rotation of the spool 456 and, consequently, movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314. In some examples, the first pawl 458 includes one or more teeth 498 configured to selectively and meshingly engage with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494. In some implementations, the first pawl 458 includes a first pawl axle 500 configured to support the first pawl 458 within the housing 402 a to permit the first pawl 458 to rotate relative to the housing 402 a about a first pawl axis of rotation A_(FP).

A first pawl spring 502 may operably connect to the first pawl axle 500 and the retaining wall 472 disposed within the cavity 454 of the housing 402 a to bias the first pawl 458 in a first direction D_(FP1) about the pawl axis of rotation A_(FP). The first pawl axis of rotation A_(FP) may be substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool 456 when the spool 456 is received by the cavity 454. Accordingly, the first pawl spring 502 may interact with the retaining wall 472 and the first pawl 516 to exert a biasing force that causes the first pawl 458 to pivot about the pawl axis of rotation A_(FP) in the first direction D_(FP1) and into engagement with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494, thereby causing the tensioning device 400 a to operate in the locked state to restrict movement by the adjustment elements 312, 314 in the loosening directions D_(L).

FIGS. 31 and 32 each show a top view of the first pawl 458 of the tensioning device 400 a. The first pawl 458 defines a first receiving surface 504 configured to support the first pawl spring 502. The first pawl axle 500 protrudes from the first receiving surface 504 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first receiving surface 504. The first pawl axle 500 may be integrally formed with the first pawl 458. The first pawl 458 also defines a second receiving surface 506 configured to support a second pawl spring 516. An aperture 508 is formed through the second receiving surface 506 and is configured to receive a second pawl axle 514. An anchor post 510 may protrude away from the receiving surfaces 504, 506 in a direction substantially parallel to the first pawl axle 500. The anchor post 510 may define an aperture 512 to provide an attachment location for attaching the first end 406 of the release cord 404 to the anchor post 510. The anchor post 510 may be integrally formed with the first pawl 458.

With reference to FIG. 29, the second pawl axle 514 rotatably attaches the second pawl 460 to the first pawl 458 to permit the second pawl 460 to rotate relative to both the first pawl 458 and the housing 402 a about a second pawl axis of rotation A_(SP). The second pawl axis of rotation Asp may extend substantially parallel to the first pawl axis of rotation A_(FP) and the axis of rotation of the spool 456. In some examples, the second pawl 460 is associated with the second pawl spring 516, which is configured to bias the second pawl 460 into engagement with a control surface 518 associated with an inner periphery of the spool 456 when the first pawl 458 is disengaged from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 to permit the spool 456 to rotate in the second direction D_(S2).

FIG. 29 provides a perspective view of the tensioning device 400 a while in the locked state with the first pawl teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 engaging the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 to selectively restrict the spool 456 from rotating in the second direction Ds2 and thereby restrict the adjustment elements 312, 314 from moving in their respective loosening directions D_(L). In some examples, the plurality of the teeth 496 are sloped to permit the spool 456 to rotate in the first direction D_(S1) when the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 are engaged with the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494, thereby permitting the tensioning element 312 to move in the tightening direction D_(T) and the control element 314 to move in the tightening direction D_(T) responsive to the tightening force F_(T) being applied to the tightening grip 340.

When the spool 456 rotates in the first direction D_(S1), the control element 314 is unreeled from the second channel 490 of the spool 456 while the first channel 488 of the spool 456 simultaneously retracts the tensioning element 312 as the spool 456 rotates in the first direction D_(S1). Accordingly, movement by the adjustment elements 312, 314 in their respective tightening directions D_(T) causes an effective length of the control element 314 to increase, while simultaneously causing an effective length of the tensioning element 312 to decrease, thereby moving the upper 200 into a tightened state for closing the interior void 204 around a foot of a user. Here, the control element 314 incrementally moves in the tightening direction D_(T) during each successive engagement between the first pawl 458 (e.g., first pawl teeth 498) and the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 to thereby incrementally increase the tension applied to lateral and medial tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 for tightening the fit of the interior void 204 around the foot as the upper 200 moves into the tightened state. More particularly, because each of the lateral tensioning strand 316 and the medial tensioning strand 318 of the tensioning element 312 is connected to and disposed within the first channel 488 of the spool 456, each of the tensioning strands 316, 318 will be wound and unwound by the spool 456 at the same rate, providing substantially uniform tightness of the upper 200 around the foot.

In some examples, the release cord 404 operably connects to the anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to selectively disengage the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 when a predetermined release force F_(R) is applied to the release cord 404. When the second pawl 460 is engaged with the control surface 518, the second pawl 460 is operative to control the rotational speed of the spool 456 in the second direction D_(S2) such that the adjustment elements 312, 314 do not become tangled when collected (e.g., wound) or released (e.g., unwound) from respective ones of the first channel 488 and the second channel 490 of the spool 456 during rotation in the second direction D_(S2). In some configurations, the second pawl 460 includes two cam surfaces that remain engaged with respective ones of two control surfaces 518 when the first pawl 458 remains disengaged from the teeth 496 (i.e., when the tensioning device 400 a is operable in the unlocked state). Each control surface 518 may be axially disposed on an opposite side of the ratchet mechanism 494 such that the teeth 496 are disposed between the control surfaces 518 and protrude radially inward therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 31, the first pawl 458 is biased into engagement with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 when the tensioning device 400 a is in the locked state. Here, the first pawl 458 pivots and rotates about the first pawl axis of rotation A_(FP) in the first direction D_(FP1) such that the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 engage with the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494. In some examples, the first pawl 458 includes a tactile protrusion 520 configured to engage with the tactile domes 476 to provide the “click” indicating the incremental change of position in the spool 456 during each successive engagement between the first pawl 458 and the teeth 496.

Referring to FIG. 32, a first end 406 of the release cord 404 is attached to the anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to allow the release cord 404 to selectively disengage the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 when the predetermined release force F_(R) is applied to the release cord 404. For example, a user may grasp the release grip 410 of the release cord 404 and apply the predetermined force F_(R) to disengage the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494. Here, the predetermined force F_(R) overcomes the biasing force of the first pawl spring 502 to allow the first pawl 458 to rotate about the first pawl axis of rotation A_(FP) in a second direction D_(FP2). Additionally, the tactile protrusion 520 may engage with the tactile dome 476 to provide the “click” when the predetermined force F_(R) moves to the first pawl 458 out of engagement with the teeth 496 to transition the tensioning device 400 a to the unlocked state.

FIG. 32 shows the tensioning device 400 a in the unlocked state responsive to the release cord 404 selectively disengaging the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 when the predetermined force F_(R) is applied to the release cord 404. While the tensioning device 400 a is in the unlocked state with the first pawl 458 disengaged from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494, the spool 456 is permitted to rotate in the second direction D_(S2) to allow the tensioning element 312 to move in the loosening direction D_(L) when the loosening force F_(L) is applied to the tensioning element 312. In some examples, the first channel 488 of the spool 456 collects the tensioning element 312 while the second channel 490 of the spool 456 simultaneously releases the control element 314 as the spool 456 rotates in the second direction D_(S2). Accordingly, movement of the control element 314 in the loosening direction D_(L) allows an effective length of the tensioning element 312 to increase to allow the tensioning strands 316, 318 to relax and thereby facilitate a transition of the upper 200 from the tightened state to the loosened state such that a foot can be removed from the interior void 204.

Referring back to FIG. 28, the lid 462 and the housing 402 a of the tensioning device 400 a may each include a hub 522 configured to support the first pawl axle 500 of the first pawl 458. The lid 462 may also each include an elongate channel 524 that cooperates with the elongate channel 484 of the housing 402 a to allow the anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to freely rotate relative to the housing 402 a and the lid 462 when the first pawl 458 pivots about the first pawl axis of rotation A_(FP) in either the first direction D_(FP1) or the second direction D_(FP2).

In use, the article of footwear 10 can be selectively moved between a tightened state and a relaxed state using the tensioning system 300. With the footwear 10 initially provided in a relaxed state, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 will be maximized, such that the first cable is in a relaxed state about the upper 200, while an effective length of the control element 314 is minimized as the control element 314 is wound about the spool 456 of the tensioning device 400 a. Accordingly, a foot of a user can be inserted into the interior void 204 of the footwear 10 with the materials of the upper 200 allowing the upper 200 to stretch to accommodate the foot therein.

With the foot of the user inserted within the interior void 204 of the upper 200, the tensioning system 300 can be moved to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 10 to the foot. As discussed above, the tensioning system 300 is moved to the tightened state by applying a tightening force F_(T) to the tightening grip 340, thereby causing the control element 314 to move in the tightening direction D_(T). As the control element 314 moves in the tightening direction D_(T), the spool 456 rotates in the first direction D_(S1) and the control element 314 is unwound from the second channel 490. Simultaneously, the tensioning element 312 is wound up within the first channel 488, thereby causing the tensioning element 312 to be retracted within the tensioning device 400 a. Accordingly, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 is minimized around the upper 200 to move the upper 200 to a tightened state around the foot.

Prior to, during, or after movement of the tensioning system 300 to the tightened state, the biasing force of the first pawl spring 502 may move the first pawl 458 to the locked position when the release force F_(R) applied to the release cord 404 is overcome by the first pawl spring 502. When the tensioning device 400 a is in the locked state, the teeth 496 of the spool 456 are engaged by the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 to prevent the spool 456 from rotating in the second direction D_(S2) (i.e., the loosening direction D_(L)). Accordingly, the tensioning device 400 a maintains the tensioning system 300 in the tightened state as long as the tensioning device 400 a remains in the locked position.

When a user desires to remove the article of footwear 10 from the foot, the tensioning system 300 may be moved to the loosened state to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed around the foot. Initially, the tensioning device 400 a must be moved to the unlocked state by applying a sufficient release force F_(R) to overcome the biasing force of the first pawl spring 502. When the release force F_(R) overcomes the biasing force, the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 will disengage from the teeth 496 of the spool 456, thereby allowing the spool 456 to rotate in the second direction D_(S2).

A loosening force F_(L) may be applied to the tensioning element 312 by the user to move the first cable in the loosening direction D_(L), thereby maximizing the effective length of the tensioning element 312 to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed. In the illustrated example, the loosening force F_(L) may be applied indirectly to the tensioning element 312 by pulling the anterior end 12 of the upper 200 in a downward direction, whereby the interior void 204 is forced open to remove the foot. Alternatively, the tensioning element 312 may be provided with one or more loosening grips (not shown) to allow the user to apply the loosening force F_(T) directly to the tensioning element 312.

As the tensioning element 312 moves in the loosening direction D_(L), the spool 456 rotates in the second direction D_(S2) and the tensioning element 312 is unwound from the first channel 488. As the tensioning element 312 is unwound, the effective length of the tensioning element 312 increases and the tensioning strands 316, 318 are relaxed, allowing the tensioning straps 218 a-218 i to relax about the upper 200. Simultaneously, the control element 314 is wound up within the second channel 490, thereby causing the control element 314 to be retracted within the tensioning device 400 a. Accordingly, an effective length of the control element 314 is minimized.

The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a sole structure and an article of footwear described above.

Clause 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 2. The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 3. The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the housing is in contact with the bottom wall.

Clause 4. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the first channel operable to receive a cable therein.

Clause 5. The sole structure of Clause 4, further comprising a second channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the second channel operable to receive a cable therein.

Clause 6. The sole structure of Clause 5, wherein the second channel extends transverse to the first channel.

Clause 7. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.

Clause 8. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, a portion of the projection being formed by and having the shape of the recess.

Clause 9. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.

Clause 10. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

Clause 11. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.

Clause 12. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

Clause 13. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the first channel extending away from the recess along an axis that is either (i) substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall or (ii) substantially parallel to the first sidewall.

Clause 14. The sole structure of Clause 13, wherein the recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 15. The sole structure of Clause 14, further comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 16. The sole structure of Clause 15, further comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the first cable element being received by the first channel.

Clause 17. The sole structure of Clause 16, further comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock, the second cable element being received by a second channel.

Clause 18. The sole structure of Clause 17, wherein the second channel extends substantially perpendicular to the first channel.

Clause 19. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.

Clause 20. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, the projection being formed by and having the shape of the recess.

Clause 21. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.

Clause 22. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

Clause 23. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.

Clause 24. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

Clause 25. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall, and a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, a second channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, a third channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, and a fourth channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the fourth channel cooperating with the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the recess to provide a substantially H-shaped structure at the second surface.

Clause 26. The sole structure of Clause 25, further comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 27. The sole structure of Clause 26, further comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the first cable element being received by the first channel and the second channel.

Clause 28. The sole structure of Clause 27, further comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock, the second cable element being received by the third channel and the fourth channel.

Clause 29. The sole structure of Clause 28, wherein the first channel and the second channel are (i) disposed on the same side of the recess and on opposite ends of one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 30. The sole structure of Clause 29, wherein the third channel and the fourth channel are (i) disposed on the same side of the recess and on opposite ends of the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 31. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.

Clause 32. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, the projection being formed by the recess, the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel.

Clause 33. The sole structure of Clause 32, wherein the projection includes a substantially H-shape.

Clause 34. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.

Clause 35. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

Clause 36. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.

Clause 37. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface; a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 3. The sole structure of claim 2, wherein the housing is in contact with the bottom wall.
 4. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the first channel operable to receive a cable therein.
 5. The sole structure of claim 4, further comprising a second channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the second channel operable to receive a cable therein.
 6. The sole structure of claim 5, wherein the second channel extends transverse to the first channel.
 7. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.
 8. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, a portion of the projection being formed by and having the shape of the recess.
 9. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
 10. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
 11. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
 12. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of claim
 1. 13. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface; a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the first channel extending away from the recess along an axis that is either (i) substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall or (ii) substantially parallel to the first sidewall.
 14. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 15. The sole structure of claim 14, further comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 16. The sole structure of claim 15, further comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the first cable element being received by the first channel.
 17. The sole structure of claim 16, further comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock, the second cable element being received by a second channel.
 18. The sole structure of claim 17, wherein the second channel extends substantially perpendicular to the first channel.
 19. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.
 20. The sole structure of claim 13, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, the projection being formed by and having the shape of the recess.
 21. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
 22. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
 23. The sole structure of claim 13, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
 24. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of claim
 13. 